Passing It On

Christmas 2014 - the photo and the story 

Once upon a time … a long time ago, there lived a little girl who loved spending time with her younger sister and brother.

When she grew older, the little girl went to school. She loved to read and play and sing. In fifth grade, students could choose an instrument to learn to play. She knew just what she would choose – she was so excited!

The Violin!

She joined the beginner orchestra at her school and played her violin all through high school and the first year of college.

Although it was harder to play than she thought it would be, she still had fun (especially when her dog would “sing” with her while she practiced).

Eventually the violin was set aside and put away in storage. Because the (now-grown) girl had such fond memories of it, she didn’t want to sell it. Although she didn’t play it any more, she still loved her violin.

So the poor violin sat alone…

                                In the dark basement…

                                                        For over thirty years…

 Waiting.

Until … one day the first girl heard that another “little” girl was interested in learning to play the violin. This new girl also loved to read, sing, and make music.

Maybe this new teen-age girl could bring new life to the first “little” girl’s old violin.

So, she brought her good old friend up from the basement, 

took it to the music store for some “modernizing,” 

and gave it to her favorite niece – so she could continue making music!

After all, a violin was created to be played!

Amazing Grace

When I was in fifth or sixth grade, our church Calvinette group (previous name of GEMS - church youth group for girls) visited a few nursing homes and sang for the residents. I was assigned to sing the song Amazing Grace as a duet with another girl. We had fun singing together, but the song didn't mean much to me at that time.

As I've grown older, however, I've come to love this song and now consider it one of my favorites. I love the way it talks about God's mercy and providence throughout life and the hope and promise of our future. For several years we sang this song in class so often that my second graders had memorized all five verses in our songbook. There are now several tunes associated with this song; I have my favorite, but with any tune these words still resonate the truth of God's love and grace to sinful people.

I didn't know much about the composer of this song, John Newton, except that he was previously a slave trader and had a religious conversion. A new musical shares more of the story of Newton's life. This musical, also called "Amazing Grace" opened in Chicago last month with the hope of moving to Broadway next year. It's an ambitious show with settings in England, Sierra Leone, and the ocean. The cast is wonderful, the music is awesome, and the special effects are incredible. (An underwater rescue scene is absolutely breathtaking!) In fact, I loved the show so much that I found a deal for half-price tickets and returned the following weekend to see it again! 

After seeing the theatrical production, I became more curious about John Newton and his life. I wondered how much of the storyline was dramatic license and what was actually true. I'm now reading a biography of Newton and am amazed at his pre conversion life - he was quite self-centered, vulgar, and wanted nothing to do with God. And yet - God had a plan for him that included becoming an Anglican priest; he spent the latter part of his life working to abolish slavery and sharing God's love with others. Knowing more about his life adds a deeper meaning to the words of his song Amazing Grace. My favorite song in the musical is called "Testimony" - the song John Newton sings after his realization that God is real and loves him (occurring when John survives an intense storm aboard a ship). It's a powerful song. Since there is no soundtrack (yet), this version is from the concept recording. 

Testimony - Amazing Grace the Musical

(I can't embed it, so here's the link.)

I find it so comforting that God loves every person and desires all to know and love him - His grace extends to all. It's a comforting reminder on days when I mess up as well. 

He came for me. He came to set. me. free.

Praise God!

1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
   That saved a wretch like me!
   I once was lost, but now am found;
   Was blind, but now I see.
2. ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
   And grace my fears relieved;
   How precious did that grace appear
   The hour I first believed.
3. Through many dangers, toils and snares,
   I have already come;
   ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
   And grace will lead me home.
4. The Lord has promised good to me,
   His Word my hope secures;
   He will my Shield and Portion be,
   As long as life endures.
5. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
   And mortal life shall cease,
   I shall possess, within the veil,
   A life of joy and peace.
6. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
   The sun forbear to shine;
   But God, who called me here below,
   Will be forever mine.
7. When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
   Bright shining as the sun,
   We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
   Than when we’d first begun.

"Disney" for Dogs

If you asked most kids where they'd like to go for fun, Disney Land or Disney World would probably be one of their top choices. It's just a fun, happy place. If you asked my dog where he'd most like to go, he would surely answer "the dog park" for the same reason.

Toby loves the dog park! We started going to Quincy Dog Park this past summer; Toby gets so excited that he starts whining even before we turn into the drive for the park. I love it because there's always other dogs for him to run and play with. I try to take Toby there a couple times each week and I'm starting to recognize some of the other "regulars" (both dogs and owners!). We stay for about 30 minutes, just enough time to tire him out. He usually follows the same routine: sniff around first (and find some trees) and then find some other dogs to run with. I'll follow him around on the paths, sometimes walking back and forth just to keep up with him as he races around. Whenever a new dog enters the park, Toby runs back to the entrance as part of the welcoming committee.

It's so much fun to watch Toby run. He loves being chased and can make a very sharp turn to bound away from the chaser. And fast! I had no idea how fast he could run until we came to the dog park.

Anyway, I started recording him when he was running and playing because it's just so much fun to watch. So - here's Toby enjoying himself at the dog park.

What I Did on my Summer Vacation: Kitchen Remodel (part 2)

I love my finished kitchen! I did all the painting and changed the cabinet hardware, but then the professionals took over and put in new stainless steel appliances, a new countertop, subway tiled backsplash, and a new sink. 

I love the color scheme my designer suggested; it feels like a completely new kitchen. Check it out - the After pictures are first!

Gray walls with white tiled backsplash and dark countertops gives it a more modern look. My traveling souvenirs can be easily seen above the cupboards. I'm so glad Maytag has a magnetic stainless refrigerator!

Before - 

Definitely more of a country feel with navy and cream colors. It looks so dark and busy.

 

Picture Perfect

I really didn't know what I was looking for. But I found it. And I love it; it's absolutely perfect!

When I decided to remodel my kitchen, I also decided to take down everything I had on the walls - my wonderful printer box filled with little objects (I wish I had taken a picture of it, but I had planned on putting it in another room - that plan has changed, so it's now in "storage" in the basement), a spoon rack, and a collage picture frame. They were all fine, but I was ready for a new look. I needed something special for the one full wall in the kitchen/dining area.

A friend and I went to several art galleries and browsed through the art work. I knew I wanted a landscape print, but wasn't certain of anything else (meadow, forest, countryside,?). Several pieces at the Lake Effect Gallery caught my eye; they were all by the same artist - Lois Rodgers. I was drawn to one piece in particular - it reminded me of the desert in the land of Israel, with little tufts of grass in the sand and a small tree (acacia?). I looked at several other prints but kept returning to this one. It reminded me of my trips to Israel and conveyed such a peaceful, serene mood. When I saw the title of the piece, I realized the artist hadn't painted the Israeli desert, but that was all right - I could see the desert in the painting. The piece gradually drew me in and I began to think of it as "my" painting and knew it was the right one.

I picked up the finished art work today and was able to meet the artist! How sweet of her to come to the gallery to talk with me; she was so nice. I love the fact that she is a former elementary art teacher.  

Melanie and Lois Rodgers (artist)

I love this piece for several reasons and can see so much symbolism in it:

- the landscape reminds me of the desert in Israel, my trips there, and all I learned about God in that land

- the tree bent by the sand and wind is still standing, reminding me that if I have deep roots I can withstand the winds of this life

- the tree's strength reminds me to find my strength in God

- the little tufts of grass remind me that God will provide me with just enough (my daily bread)

- the piece is actually a sand dune - I love that fact that you can't see what's on the other side from this vantage point. It reminds me of the hope I have in Christ, for eternity.

- I love the stillness and calm the painting gives. I hear the words: "Be still and know that I am God" when I look at it.

- I also love that my friend was with me when I found it, so it reminds me of friendship.

I have not taken any art classes and really know very little about art. I never understood what people were talking about when they discussed art. But this piece spoke to me (and still does, even though it's only been in my home for ten hours). I think it's so cool that I have these thoughts and feelings which are probably very different than what Lois was thinking/feeling when she was painting it. Maybe that's part of the definition of art.

And it's perfect in my kitchen.  

     

What I Did on my Summer Vacation: Kitchen Remodel (part 1)

It all started with the appliances. I've now lived in my house for twenty years (can that be possible???) and the appliances were not new when I moved in. The refrigerator had been making occasional little noises for quite a while, so I knew it was time to buy new ones. That was all I was going to do - spend my income tax refund and get new kitchen appliances: fridge, stove, dishwasher, and microwave.

My parents bought me this microwave back in 1988 when I was teaching in McBain, MI! It is one of my favorite gifts from them. It has been well used!

Then I started thinking. Maybe I should paint the kitchen walls as long as I was getting new appliances; update the look a little bit. And as long as I was updating, how about new countertops...and a new sink...and a new backsplash... Two months later, it's almost done - just waiting on some artwork and curtains to finish everything off. I ended up doubling my budget and then totally forgetting about a budget at all. But I love the finished room. And I don't plan on moving anytime soon, so I'll get to enjoy it.

For someone who doesn't do well with making decisions, I've come a long way - with a big thank you to some good friends who went shopping with me and gave me advice as well as a wonderful interior design consultant, Debbie Rooks, who told me what to get and where to get it! 

The kitchen remodel basically took on two different parts: what I did and what the experts did. This is what I did:

1. Paint the kitchen as well as the mudroom and hallway. Not a fun job!

Toby was definitely curious about the paint

2. Change the hardware on all the cupboards: 254 screws unscrewed and then 254 new screws put on. It seems like such a little thing, but it makes a huge difference in the finished kitchen. (Of course the holes didn't fit exactly with the new hinges.)

I did all the handles first and then started on the hinges

3. I decided this would be a good time to clean out and rearrange all the cupboards. Oh my - I found things in the back of cupboards I didn't even know I had! (The local mission resale store got several boxes of "collectables.") I reorganized everything and applied a few Pinterest ideas as well. 

 (in progress)

I bought new canisters, containers for boxes/mixes, and turntables for baking things. Every cupboard is now organized; we'll see how long it lasts!

This is what it looked like when my part was done; the painting, hardware change, and cupboard reorganization took about 2 weeks. Next post - the experts come.